HERITAGE CONSERVATION – CHETTINAD

SYNOPSIS

Submitted by
J DAMODARAN
(16136011)

SCHOOL OF PLANNING ARCHITECTURE

AND DESIGN EXCELLENCE

HINDUSTAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE,

CHENNAI - 603 103

JANUARY 2021
 HERITAGE CONSERVATION – CHETTINAD

Introduction
The name chettiar, is derived from the generic term ‘chetty’ which
denotes business communities or trading groups. This could have been
derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Sreshti’ which means ‘merchant’. They
were originally believed to be gem merchants in a town called
Santhyapuri in Naganad, somewhere in north of Tamil Nadu. The
Chettinad is organised around nine clan temple. The Chettiars, in
particular the Nattukkottai Chettiars have played a very important role in
the development of the Tamil Country. Community divided into various
groups according to the temples they worship in. Nine such families
belonging to nine villages – Ilayatrangudi, Martrur, Vairavan, Iraniyur,
Pillayarpatti, Nemankovil, Iluppaikudi, Sooraikudi, and Velangudi temples.
As population increased, a number new village were formed by different
groups of Chettiars. Chettinadu occupies about 1554 sq.km in central
Tamil Nadu. Ramnad district and Thirumangalam – Pudukottai district
comprises these villages.

Justification on the topic

 Chettinad possesses some outstanding physical characteristics of
urban and rural planning which create a unique architectural
ensemble with thousands of palatial houses.
 As the result of their travels, they have integrated multiple influences
into the Tamil traditions. This blend represents the uniqueness of
Chettinad.
 They had a vision of land-use planning which has connected the
different urban to landscape elements, particularly for rainwater
harvesting and storage system.
 The architectural features of the houses comprised of series of
courtyards organized along a longitudinal axis as well as the use of
material is taking into consideration the semi-arid and hot climate.
  Chettinad architecture is also closely linked to the lifecycle rituals of
the Chettiar community.
 The mansions were conceived to perform the different functions,
rituals and family celebrations during the course of life from birth to
death. In addition to the lifecycle rituals, the temple and village
festivals are part of the Chettiar culture forming a large set of rituals
all over the year.
 Materials and techniques used are still available in the Chettinadu
region that can be used for restoration.
 However, they are fast depleting and we are looking at ways and
means towards skilling people on these techniques. We address the
complete restoration of the structure to its original architecture as
close as possible.

BRIEF OF QUALITATIVE ASPECT

 Since the time the community settled in the area, the Chettiars have
upheld a vision of planning and development of their territory
comprised of outstanding components.
 Here traditional and overseas influences blend together creating a
unique style expressed at the urban, architectural and decorative
levels. While the town planning characteristics remain unchanged
with the ensemble created by long series of houses, the plan and
volumetric configuration and the typologies of the buildings evolved
over decades, from 1850’ to 1940’.
 Pavilions, halls and courtyards were added for business purposes
and as areas for receptions and weddings, thus adding palatial
features to the traditional houses.
 Every aspect of the architecture was conceived and made to
display the wealth of the owner: from the huge development in
plan, to the monumental facade, the height of which was
enhanced by adding multiple levels of balustrades and the use of
many architectural elements such as doubled colonnades and
loggias.
  In order to construct and decorate these mansions, materials and
expertise were brought from all over the world, which added to the
cultural glory of Chettinad. For examples, teak wood was imported
from Burma, satin wood from Ceylon, marble from Italy and Belgium,
cast iron and steel from UK and India, ceiling in metal plates from
Great Britain, tiles from Bombay, Japan, Germany, France and
England, chandeliers from Belgium, France and Italy.
 As they required the best, they also brought skills from different
regions of India such as woodcarving, frescoes and egg-plastering.
 The layout as well as the large scale and the number of these
palatial houses (estimated from 10,000 to 15,000), are very unique in
India.

GOAL
 Constitution of a collection of art and ethnographical objects that
serve as a reference for Chettinad’s heritage.
 Conservation and restoration of the existing architectural heritage.
 Presentation of an educational exhibition to the public suitable for
both local inhabitants, tourists and academicians.
 Spreading knowledge and awareness of this heritage through the
development of cultural tourism.
 Creation of archives for the use of the local population and
interested parties.
 Resource centre for those involved in the global project
 A cultural centre organizing programmes on the museum premises,
such as the dances of South India, public readings by Indian
authors, exhibitions of the work of the in-house artists, etc.
 There are a lot of conservations happening in the Chettinad region,
but all of it is only for huge mansions which are converted into hotels
and in the process, the true essence is lost.
 The local traditions of the past have not been given the preservation
they need and most of them have been disregarded.
  There is a need to overcome the shortcomings of display areas and
the preservation of the culture.
 The program takes care of the endangered intricate handicrafts,
handicraft artisans, Chettinad cuisines and the Chettinad
vernacular architecture.
 The project should reinforce the identity, memory, strengthen the
traditions of the community and develop it.
 The aim is to bring in public participation which I feel is the most
important factor in tradition and heritage conservation.
 This project would support the uplifting of Chettinad traditions and
their existing buildings which are in the defoliated state.

REFERENCE

 ATINER's Conference Paper Series ARC2017-2393

https://www.atiner.gr/papers/ARC2017-2393.pdf
 Analysing the Values in the Built Heritage of Chettinadu Region,
Tamil Nadu, India
https://cs.chitkara.edu.in/
 Attitude and perception of tourists towards Chettinad palace,
Karaikudi- An-empirical study
https://www.ijpam.eu/
 UNESCO New Delhi, Bernard Dragon, Architect,
Michel Adment, Architect
www.unesco.org/newdelhi
 SAHC2014 – 9th International Conference on Structural Analysis of
Historical Constructions
 Chettinad Architecture
Lifestyle, Architecture and planning concepts
Samyukthaa N 8/16/2015